Karaage Fried Chicken

, from Issue #50. August, 2015
Photography by Manja Wachsmuth.
Karaage Fried Chicken

Tender morsels of marinated chicken covered in a crispy coating of potato flour makes for a moreish dish. I like to serve a small dish of Kewpie mayonnaise alongside, as well as the dipping sauce.

Serves: 4–6

INGREDIENTS

500 grams boneless chicken thighs, skin off
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons mirin
2 tablespoons sake
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, crushed

To cook
vegetable oil
½ cup potato flour or cornflour

METHOD

Trim the chicken of excess fat and cut into 4 cm pieces.

Place all the remaining ingredients in a bowl and add the chicken, tossing well to combine. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

To cook: Heat 3 cm of oil in a deep medium saucepan to 170˚C or until a cube of bread dropped into the oil turns golden in 30 seconds.

Tip the chicken into a sieve to drain off the marinade. Put the potato flour into a bowl and add the chicken, tossing so it is all well coated.

Shake off the excess flour and cook the chicken in batches, for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally until golden and crisp and cooked through. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Drain on kitchen towels and keep warm in a low oven.

To serve: Place the chicken on plates and serve with the dipping sauce, Kewpie mayonnaise and lemon wedges. 

Cook’s tip: If you want to add a spicy note, serve a small bowl of nanami togarashi for dipping the fried chicken.